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Announcing the JWA Book Club

Chances are, no two people reading this post have the same favorite book. From month to month, I don’t even have the same favorite book—my tastes range from nonfiction crime thrillers to mid-century poetry, and hit quite a few unusual notes in between. I seek out novels I can get lost in. I like all kinds of mythology and the occasional graphic novel. Choosing what to read next can be overwhelming and generally, I need a little guidance. That’s where my JWA coworkers come in: we all love books, and we all love talking about books. I get great suggestions from the people I work with, not to mention fun discussions about those suggestions. More often than not, books are the sole topic of conversation at lunchtime in JWA’s office.

So I got to thinking—what if our lunchtime book discussions could expand beyond these walls? What if we could get authors and scholars to participate, creating a virtual author event? What if we could build community around a mutual love of reading?

Turns out we could, and we are. Welcome to JWA’s online Book Club, a monthly virtual gathering that promises lively discussion, eclectic book selections, and a reason to visit your local bookstore more often! Our first meeting will discuss Anita Diamant’s new novel, The Boston Girl.

Along the way, we’ll bring you interviews, book reviews, and special extras to keep you excited about what you’re reading. All of our conversations will take place right here on JWA’s blog. We welcome participants from across the country and around the world.

To participate, make sure to sign up here. There is no cost to participate; all you need is a love of reading and a passion for good books! Once you’re signed up, we’ll tell you how to register, when our “meetings” will take place, and what books are coming up on our calendar. Meetings will take place online during weekday lunch hours, allowing us all to kick back for an hour and talk about a great book with a fresh new community of readers.

As Nora Ephron once said, “Reading is everything. Reading makes me feel like I've accomplished something, learned something, become a better person. Reading makes me smarter. Reading gives me something to talk about later on.” I look forward to reading with each of you this year, and for many years to come.

Hi, I have to get my books through the library and Wildman's (27) & Diamant's (122) books are both severely wait listed. Blank has no holds as of now. nor does Mirvis. Chast's has me as 149. Can you let me know the order of the readings so I can order ahead? I should get Wolitzer's book soon. Thanks a lot! I'll be others are in the same position I am.

Hi Marnie, My sister is an author (one I think this club would love) so of course I'd like for folks to buy bks at their favorite bookstore, but...if the book is not brand new, you can often pick up a used copy for less than $5 incl. shipping on Amazon.

Laura Jane, By all means suggest your sister's books. And, thanks for the tip, I'd forgotten the great deals for used books at Amazon. I've always appreciated the quality of the books and the speed of the service.

Is there any way to suggest books? I'm thinking in particular of two Israeli authors whose books have really taken off. First is "The Wayward Moon" by Janice Weizman (winner of the 2013 IPPY Gold Medal for Historical Fiction), and second is "The Hidden of Things: Twelve Stories of Love and Longing" by Yael Unterman (2014, Yotzeret Publishing), a collection of interwoven short stories about being single and Jewish.